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Mexico Travel Guide

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MEXICO TRAVEL TIPS
A collection of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.

Discovers everything that Mexico offers to you for a unique and unforgettable trip experience. Take a moment to brush up on the travel tips that will help you be more prepared for travel anywhere in Mexico.

 

MEXICO GENERAL INFORMATION

Religion: 90 per cent Roman Catholic.

Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. US two-pin (flat) plugs are usual.

GEOGRAPHY: Mexico City is located near the southern end of the plateau of Anáhuac, at an altitude of c.7,800 ft (2,380 m). The horizons of the city are almost obscured by mountain barriers, and the peaks of Popocatépetl and Iztaccihuatl are not far off. The climate is cool and dry. Much of Mexico City's surrounding valley is a lake basin with no outlet, and in the past during the rainy seasons, mountain runoff swelled the lakes. From the time when the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán stood on an island in Lake Texcoco—now the heart of the metropolis—measures have been taken to protect the city and provide for expansion by draining Texcoco and the other lakes, Chalco and Xochimilco. In the 17th cent. the Spanish viceroys, notably Louis de Velasco, the younger, initiated important works. In 1900 a central canal was completed that reached to the headwaters of the Pánuco River. The Caracol [Span.,=snail], a 12-mi (19-km) spiral canal fed in turn by longitudinal canals begun in 1936, acts as an evaporating basin, from which valuable minerals are taken.

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MEXICO ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

The enchantment of Mexico is but a bridge away from much of Texas. Visitors find Mexican shops and markets colorful and fascinating, filled with a variety of gift, handicraft and art items at attractive prices. The people of Mexico are gracious and friendly.

Border crossing is easy and simple; there are no fees other than for auto insurance or special permits such as hunting and fishing licenses, bridge tolls, and U.S. Customs duties as necessary.

General Travel Information - U.S, citizens must carry proof of citizenship when crossing into Mexico. Officials of the National Immigration Institute, posted at border entry points, require a passport, birth certificate, voter registration card, or any other document that proves citizenship. This is a change from the past. The law applies to all border cities, and is an attempt to implement uniform immigration laws on both northern and southern borders.

On returning to Texas from Mexico, a stop at U.S. customs is required, stating nationality and declaring Mexican purchases.

A Mexican tourist card is required for visiting Mexico beyond the border cities, or for stays longer than 72 hours. The free tourist cards are available from Mexican immigration authorities at the border and also at Mexican consulates and Mexican government tourist offices in the US. A birth certificate or other proof of US citizenship, such as voter registration, military ID showing place of birth, or passport is required to obtain the tourist card.

Canadian citizens who visit Mexico from Texas should have a passport or birth certificate. Other foreign nationals should have a passport and appropriate visas both for entering Mexico and returning to the U.S.
Click here for Visa Informations

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MEXICO GETTING AROUND MEXICO

Rental Car
Rental cars are available from the major rental companies. To rent you must be at least 25 years of age, have a valid driver's license and a major credit card. Be sure to reserve your vehicle before you leave home; this will ensure you the lowest rate and availability.

Driving - Hitting the byways in a foreign land might sound challenging to some, but to many its their favorite means of getting involved. Especially if you live in the southern reaches of the US, driving deep into Mexico is less than 48 hours away.

Gasoline is available at stations throughout Mexico. It is sold in liters (3.78 liters = 1 gallon). Magna Sin (green pumps) is unleaded. Prices are about the same as in the U.S. Only cash is accepted and there is no self service (tips are customary for gasoline attendants). Most stations close by 10 PM.

The highway systems between major cities is modern and similar to the freeways further North. What makes them unique is their dependence on toll funding rather than taxation to pay the development cost. So, you should expect to 'pay as you go'. Have a hefty handful of small bills available so you'll encounter no problems with making change.

Auto insurance is a MUST, whether you are driving a rental car or your own. Don't expect your hometown agent to supply you with a policy that will be valid in Mexico. Most insurance companies explicitly exclude foreign countries from their coverage. If you have a question, contact your carrier. You will find insurance vendors on both sides of the border crossings. A better idea is to set up your insurance before you go. You might also find that it can be considerably cheaper to do it this way.

Major highways are patrolled by Los Angeles Verdes (Green Angels). These government-operated pickup trucks are driven by mechanics . To date, Mexico is the only country with this service. It's free, except for parts and gas!

Buses - Mexico has a vast inter-city bus system that offers inexpensive, timely and convenient transportation. There are two grades of buses: First Class, with air conditioning and possibly a TV, and a stewardess serving soft drinks and snacks. And Second Class- with no frills. As Second Class costs slightly less than First Class, we recommend you go with First Class.

Within the metropolitan centers buses offer the natives their primary means of transportation. For the tourist these can be a bit daunting at first, but when viewed with fun and adventure in mind, they can certainly add color and memories to your vacation.

Train - Train travel can be safer and more enjoyable than a trip by bus, but considerably more expensive. As with bus service, we recommend you pay for the highest class of travel available. Primera Especial class is recommended for day trips and the top-of-the-line Pullman compartments for overnight travel. Pullman service offers sleeping compartments suitable for one (camarin) or two (alcoba). Each converts to a comfortable sitting room during the day.

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WHAT TO BRING TO MEXICO

Be sure to include the following in your suitcase:

- A pocket-size English/Spanish dictionary - A small first aid kit - Camera and Film - Walking Shoes - Suntan Lotion - Traveler's Checks & ATM cards - Swim Suits - Casual Dress Clothes for Nightlife and Fine Dining - Copies of your favorite Mexico Travel Guide pages! - Sunglasses & Hat - Necessary medications - Passport/Birth Certificate & Driver's License


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MEXICO COMMUNICATIONS

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 52. Outgoing international code: 00. Long-distance calls are very expensive.

Mobile telephone: AMPS network is operated by IUSACELL. GSM 1900 network operated by Movistar GSM. The main network provider is Telcel (website: www.telcel.com). Handsets can be hired.

Fax: Major hotels have facilities.

Internet: ISPs include Internet Mexico (website: www.internet.com.mx) and Red Internet (website: www.redinternet.com.mx). Internet cafes exist in all regions, particularly the main tourist areas.

Telegram: Services are operated by Telégrafos Nacionales and international telegrams should be handed in to their offices.

Post: Airmail to Europe takes about six days. Surface mail is slow. Within the capital, there is an immediate delivery (Entrega Inmediata) service, which usually takes two or three days.

Press: The major daily newspapers published in Spanish are Esto, Excélsior, EL Financiero, El Heraldo de México, Le Jornada, La Prensa and El Universal. The English-language papers available are Mexico City Times, New York Times, The News and USA Today.

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MEXICO BUSINESS PROFILE

Economy: The agricultural sector produces various staple crops, including sorghum, wheat, maize, rice, beans and potatoes largely for domestic consumption; while coffee, sugar cane, fruit and vegetables are grown for export. The contribution made by agriculture (including fishing, which is a major employer in coastal areas) has declined since the 1980s, it now employs about 20 per cent of the workforce and accounts for about 5 per cent of GDP.
Manufacturing has grown considerably during the last 20 years. The main products are vehicles, processed foods, iron and steel, chemicals and machinery. Many companies in this sector are located in so-called maquiladora plants, where semi-finished goods or raw materials from the southern USA are shipped across the border into Mexico, completed, and then (for the most part) returned to the USA. The system allows American companies to take advantage of lower wages and running costs, as well as a less stringent regulatory regime. NAFTA (see below) has also contributed substantially to the growth of this part of the Mexican economy. Mexico also has a sizeable mining sector, producing a wide range of minerals including silver, bismuth, arsenic and antimony; there are also smaller deposits of sulphur, lead, zinc and cadmium. However, the largest single natural resource, and the source of much of Mexico’s revenue in recent years, is oil. In some respects this has been a mixed blessing: Mexico has suffered several economic crises in which over-reliance on oil income was at least a contributory factor. In the service sector, tourism is the most important single industry, although it suffered a serious downturn in the wake of the ‘9-11’ catastrophe and has yet to fully recover. As for the overall economy, after a mild recession in 2001/02, estimated Mexican GDP growth for 2003 was 1.5 per cent; this is expected to rise to 2.5 per cent in 2004. In 2002, inflation and unemployment were 5 and 2.7 per cent respectively.
Under the statist policies of the PRI, the government was always in firm control of economic policy. However, once the party’s stranglehold had been broken, Mexico embarked on the type of reform process familiar throughout the world: privatisation of state-controlled industries, deregulation and removal of tariffs and subsidies, and the opening of the economy to foreign investment. The reform process has been somewhat spasmodic and piecemeal, however, as a result of continuous political disputes. In 1993, Mexico signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which created a free trade bloc among the USA, Canada and Mexico of a size to rival the EU in both population and economic output. Mexican trade with its fellow NAFTA members increased threefold, and accounts for 80 per cent of the total trade volume. Nor has Mexico neglected trade links with its fellow Latin American countries: there are free-trade agreements with Central America, Colombia and Venezuela. Mexico is also a member of the Inter-American Development Bank, the Association for Latin American Integration (ALADI) and, most recently, the Asian-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC). Outside the American continent, Japan, Germany and Spain are Mexico’s other important trading partners. The UK is the largest foreign investor in Mexico after the USA.

Business: English is widely spoken in business circles although it is preferable for the visitor to be able to speak Spanish. Letters written in Spanish should be replied to in Spanish. Business wear is formal. Mexicans attach much importance to courtesy and the use of titles. Prior appointments are necessary and if in doubt about a correct title it is advisable to use licenciado in place of señor. Best months for business visits are January to June and September to November. Avoid the two weeks before and after Christmas and Easter. Office hours: Vary considerably; usually Mon-Fri 0900-1400 and 1500-1800.

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MEXICO SOCIAL PROFILE

Food & Drink: Self-service (fast food) is available but table-service is usual. Bars have table- and/or counter-service. There are laws relating to minors and licensing on civic holidays. Mexican cuisine is delicious and varied; there are many specialities, such as turkey mole, a sauce containing a score of ingredients including several sorts of chilli, tomatoes, peanuts, chocolate, almonds, onions and garlic. Another sauce, guacamole, incorporates avocado pears, red peppers, onions and tomatoes, and often accompanies turkey or chicken with tortillas (pancakes made with maize). There are also enchiladas, tacos (maize pancakes served with pork, chicken, vegetables or cheese and chilli) and tamales. Every region of Mexico has its own dishes. International cuisine is available at most hotels in the larger cities, and at most restaurants. There is a wide variety of exotic fruits such as papayas, mangoes, guavas, zapotes, pineapples, mameyes and tunas (juicy prickly pears, fruit of the cactus). Imported spirits are expensive; local spirits probably give better value for money. The best buys are rum and gin. European aperitifs are produced in Mexico and are of excellent quality; and, of course, there is tequila (made from maguey, a variety of cactus). It is traditionally drunk neat with a pinch of salt and a bite of lemon, and makes an excellent cocktail-base. Mexico’s coffee liqueur, kahlúa, is world famous. Hidalgo, Domecq and Derrasola are good Mexican white wines, whilst Los Reyes and Calafia are excellent reds. Mexico is a producer of good beer; both the dark beers and the light beers are worth sampling. All the big supermarkets sell spirits, beer and wine.

Nightlife: With a range of settings from panoramic restaurants to intimate bars, Mexico City offers excellent music and assorted cuisine, with some of the best bars and restaurants located in hotels. Nightlife is very vibrant and exciting and features a large variety of top-name entertainers, international shows, jazz groups, rock groups, traditional Mexican music and dancing, Spanish flamenco dancers and gypsy violinists. Worth seeing is the impressive light show, with accompanying sound show at the archaeological site of Teotihuacán. The history and mythology of this ancient civilisation are recreated through a gorgeous display of coloured lights, poetic dialogue and music. The season runs from October to May.

Social Conventions: Handshaking is the most common form of greeting. Casual sportswear is acceptable for daytime dress throughout the country. At beach resorts, dress is very informal for men and women and nowhere are men expected to wear ties. In Mexico City, however, dress tends to be smart in elegant restaurants and hotel dining rooms. Smoking is unrestricted except where notified. Mexicans regard relationships and friendships as the most important thing in life next to religion and they are not afraid to show their emotions. A large Mexican family always seems to find room for one more and a visitor who becomes friends with a Mexican will invariably be made part of the family. Visitors should always remember that local customs and traditions are important.


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MEXICO SAFETY & HEALTH TIPS

SAFETY: The crime rate in Mexico has risen significantly in Mexico City, a symptom of the country’s faltering economy. It's a fact of life that tourists may sometimes be more likely targets in resort areas. Once again, common sense precautions should be taken. Remember to use your hotel's safety deposit box for valuables, and always lock your hotel room and car. Don't tempt fate by being careless with your belongings.

The Government’s commitment to increased public safety includes several new initiatives:

Greater Budget Resources: State governments spending on safety programs totaled $650 million in 1999 (a 120% increase). Additionally, the federal government will invest $257 million.
Better Trained Police Force: State and federal officers will be evaluated and scrutnized. Pay raises will also be implemented, in addition to more professional training.
Improved Communications, Information, and Intellegence Systems: A new “066” nationwide emergency telephone system is being implemented, plus greater “community policing” initiatives, and efforts to combat inefficiency and corruption.

HEALTH: In your quest for a good time on your vacation, your eating and drinking habits are often radically different than what you're used to back home. In addition, climate and altitude changes can throw your system off. To ensure you enjoy your vacation to its fullest, consider the following: Be sure to drink lots of fluids; especially the day before arriving.

Try not to go overboard your first night. Give your body a chance to acclimate. Drink only distilled or bottled water. When buying fresh fruits and vegetables, be sure to wash them with distilled or bottled water before eating; peel them if possible.

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MEXICO TIPS FOR SENIOR TRAVELERS

Retired travelers have a great advantage in planning their vacations. There are many advantages to having the freedom to plan a vacation without the hassles of work schedules. Many older travelers find that their favorite times to travel to Mexico are in off season months when there is less demand and less traffic through the resort cities. Usually the summer months are the least in demand due to high temperatures. This can be an advantage if you enjoy shopping and organized tours more than spending time at the beach. Most shops and tour buses are air-conditioned, so the heat shouldn't be much of a concern. The reduced numbers of tourists in the summer months makes getting around much easier, and there is usually more peace and quiet at night.

There are a number of discount packages and group tour options for seniors. Your travel agent should have a list of the discounts that you're entitled to in the city that you'll be visiting. There are a number of senior citizens tour clubs that offer members the opportunity to go on tours with a familiar group of people in an organized tour that provides everything that you'll need. There are many senior citizen tour organizations across the nation, most of which your travel agent should be able to provide information about.

Even if you don't like traveling in groups or with organized tours, you are entitled to a number of senior citizens discounts. When booking hotel reservations, always mention that you're a senior and ask about discount rates. At restaurants, mention it when you order, not afterward. Many places will refuse the discount if you don't mention it before a reservation or an order has been made.

The infrastructure in Mexico is not as well-developed as it is in some countries. If you have a disability, you may find it difficult getting around some parts of Mexico. There are few wheelchair ramps and wheelchair access bathrooms in Mexico currently. In some cities, there aren't even stairway handrails. The sidewalks are typically narrower and aren't maintained as well. If you have any problems getting around, speak with your travel agent about the state of the city you'll be traveling to.

Your travel agent should also be able to provide information about hotels which offer accommodations for people with disabilities.

If you aren't content just to visit Mexico, it is possible to retire to Mexico permanently. Please click here to see an overview of how to begin the process of retiring to Mexico.

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MEXICO CURRENCY/MONEY

The Mexican economy operates on the rise and fall of the Peso. While most businesses will accept foreign currency, especially US dollars, using pesos is your best bet. Foreign currency can be exchanged at one of many casas de cambio (exchange houses).

Mexican banking hours are normally Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 P.M. however for money exchange the hours time are normally from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Casas de cambio are open later than most banks and they generally offer quicker service.

Credit cards are widely accepted, with Visa, MasterCard, and American Express being the most popular.

Check for Current Exchange Rate:
Use Xenon Labs' currency exchange calculator to check the Mexican New Peso against your currency. Clicking on the search button will retrieve the current exchange rate for nearly 50 currencies. The rates are usually no more than a couple of days old.

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MEXICO SHOPPING

Good buys include silverware, ceramics and locally made pottery, woven wool blankets (sarapes), brightly coloured scarves in wool or silk (rebozos), richly embroidered charro hats, straw work, blown glass, embossed leather, hard- and semi-precious stones, gold and silver jewellery, finely pleated men’s shirts in cotton voile (guayaberas), white dresses embroidered with multi-coloured flowers (huipiles), which are sold in the markets, and hammocks. The best shopping is in Mexico City, Acapulco, Campeche, Cuernavaca, Guadalajara, Mérida, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende and Taxco. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-2000 (Mexico City); Mon-Fri 0900-1400 and 1600-2000 (rest of the country).

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MEXICO TIPPING

Service charges are rarely added to hotel, restaurant or bar bills and many of the staff depend on tips for their livelihood. 15 per cent is expected and 20 per cent if the service has been very good. Airport porterage is charged at the equivalent of US$1 per bag.

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MEXICO CLOTHING & ATTIRE

Mexican clothing in general is very basic. Swimsuits, sundresses, shorts, t-shirts and tank tops should be the first pieces of clothing in your suitcase. Most of Mexico enjoys summer almost all year round (except for Villahermosa which is always humid and San Cristobal which is frigid in winter). If you plan to sightsee ensure your Mexican clothing includes comfortable walking shoes; they are likely the key Mexican travel wear. And most important of your Mexican clothing… don’t forget a good pair of sunglasses, a hat and a few bottles of sunscreen – after all you don’t want to wreck your vacation with a sun burn.

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MEXICO SPORTS & ACTIVITIES

Ecotourism: Mexico hosts a wide variety of landscapes and ecosystems within its borders: deserts, swamps, volcanoes and rainforest are all present. There are 58 national parks and biosphere reserves where the abundant flora and fauna receive special protection. The country boasts approximately 176 kinds of orchids and more species of birds than exist in the USA and Canada combined. Guided ‘ecotourist excursions’ with multilingual professional guides can be arranged. Transportation is via kayak, mountain bike, jeep or on horseback. If visitors care to venture out alone, updated information on protected camping sites and special permits is provided by tourism offices in each state. Those wishing to observe sea life can go to Guerrero Negro in Baja California, home to one of Mexco’s prime whale-watching spots, the Parque Natural de la Ballena Gris (Gray Whale National Park), where grey whales breed near the shores of Scammon’s Lagoon from November through March. The small town of San Ignacio (145 km/90 miles to the southeast) is noted for its nearby San Ignacio Lagoon, where whales are reputed to be so ‘friendly’ that they swim close enough to be petted. Puerto Lopez Mateos on Magdalena Bay is another good spot for whale watching. Several islands in Baja California host colonies of sea lions and sea birds. In the central plains, there are high peaks to climb, including the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Nevado de Toluca, where it is possible to go scuba diving in the crater. Monarch butterflies are a must-see in the region of Michoan.

Watersports: Mexico has nearly 16,000km (10,000 miles) of coastline and a warm climate. While the Caribbean coast features white-sand beaches and gentle seas, the Pacific coast is characterised by rolling surf and darker sand. The gentlest swimming conditions are offered by the waters of the Yucatan coast (Cancún, Rivera Maya and Cozumel) and the Sea of Cortés (Loreto, Guayamas and La Paz). For more information about coastal resorts, see Beach Resorts in the Resorts & Excursions section. Major city hotels and most hotel resorts have swimming pools and some towns have public baths. Almost all Mexican resorts have facilities for the full range of watersports, including jet-skiing, windsurfing and sea kayaking. Surfing can be enjoyed on the pacific breakers and parasailing is another exciting sport. Equipment can be hired at hotels or through watersports centres. Acapulco has particularly good facilities for water-skiing. Visitors can marvel at the skill of the professional divers that swallow-dive from the cliffs at Acapulco. All over Mexico, there are excellent facilities for sailing, with modern marinas sited around the coasts. Most resort hotels will rent small sailing boats to guests. Diving is particularly popular in two areas: the Sea of Cortés and the Yucatan Peninsula’s east coast. In these areas, the sea is clear and placid, and facilities are outstanding. The Yucatan Peninsula features the second-largest coral reef in the world. Snorkelling enthusiasts may like to head for the Puerto Vallarta area on the Pacific coast, where resorts include Punta Mita, Guayabitos, Mismaloya and Los Arcos. In Zihuatanejo, Playa Las Gatas and Ixtapa Island offer good conditions and in Huatulco, the bays of La Entrega and Tangolunda are very suitable. Mexico’s coast offers some of the best deep-sea fishing in the world. Every major port has charter boats and fishing gear for hire and even the smallest fishing village is likely to have at least one fishing boat for hire. Freshwater fishing for black and striped bass is possibe mainly around Hermosillo (Sonora) and El Fuerte, Culiacán and Cosalá (Sinaloa).

Golf: Mexico has around a dozen top-class golf courses and numerous other courses. Many are located in spectacular natural settings, with some specially designed by famous golfers such as Jack Niklaus. In contrast to North American courses, they are usually uncrowded and comparatively reasonably priced.

Language courses: There are many opportunities for visitors to attend courses of study in the Spanish language and in Mexican culture. Summer schools and other institutions are located in a variety of places, from major cities to beach resorts. It is usually possible to stay with a Mexican family, in order to make the visit more rewarding and productive. Further information is available from the tourist board (see Contact Addresses section). A detailed directory listing courses and fees can be obtained free of charge from the National Registration Center for Study Abroad, PO Box 1393, Milwaukee, WI 53201, USA (tel: (414) 278 0631; fax: (414) 271 8884; website: www.nrcsa.com).

Spa holidays: The Aztecs, Tarascans and other native peoples used to frequent the countless hot springs which abound in the country, especially in the area around Mexico City. Nowadays, there are many resorts with high-class facilities offering a range of treatments. Visitors can choose from spiritual retreat spas, with a New Age bias and a meditation programme, mineral water spas, hot springs and ‘upscale spas’, which are mini-resorts offering complete packages based on weight reduction, stress management and body fitness.

Spectator sports: These include football, baseball, jai alai (a very fast game of Basque pelota played with a small ball and straw rackets) and horseracing.

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MEXICO TIME ZONE

Mexico is divided into 4 Standard Time zones:
1:- General: GMT-6
2:- Baja California: GMT-8
3:- Baja California Sur, Chihuahua, Nayarit & Sinaloa: GMT-7
4:- Sonora: GMT-7.

Following legal disputes, Mexico will adopt Daylight-saving Time in line with the USA. From the first Sunday in April at 02:00 to the last Sunday in October at 02:00, Daylight-Saving Time is in effect the times in Time Zones 1,2 &3.

Time Zone 4 will not adopt Daylight-saving Time.

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